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poem0 of Sentiment anb iHumot 



(boeme of 

Sentiment anb 

IDumor 



Josepb Jarpls Coo\i Due 



3Bfrmingbam, Bla. 

©♦ 0» ^ 5. 5. C. Due 

1906 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two CoDies Received 

FEB 24 1906 

^CLASS^^ XXfc. NO. 



Cop^dgbt, 1902 

aBs ©. ©Orion Due 



Cop^rigbt, 1906 
36^ ©, ©orion S)uc 



preface 



In true humbleness I wish to offer thanks for 
the recognition which my youthful works have 
received from the many readers who have taken 
time to peruse my early efforts at versification. 
Heeding the dictates of my heart I have en- 
deavored to portray the humorous and senti- 
mental emotions which my nature endowed. Tak- 
ing my share of the poet's license, I refrain from 
further expression by quoting the opinion of my 
brother, O. Gordon Due, which appeared in the 
preface of my pamphlet issued in the years 1901 
and 1902. 

"Among the many poems which have emanated 
from my brother, Joseph J. C. Due's pen, I think 
'A Woman's Craving' is his best effort, although 
he may write one which will excel it. People of 
humorous nature like 'When Jones Was On the 
Hog,' 'Before and After Marriage — With Ex- 
ceptions,' and 'There Is Always a Sucker to Bite.' 
I like 'A Woman's Craving' because it is a sen- 
timental poem. These poems have appeared in 
able journals. 'A Woman's Craving' appeared 
in the July number of Brann's Iconoclast in the 
year 1901, on the same page with the poem that 
Richard E. Stephenson dedicated to the Presiden- 
tial Tour. 

"JOSEPH J. C. DUE.' 



jj 



Contents 



Page 

A Woman's Craving 9 

"In the Golden Autumn Time" lo 

Love Inspired in Youth ii 

A Wish ii 

A School Boy's Lamentation on the Day of 

Examination 12 

The Sun-set Maid 12 

What Makes Us Friends To-day 13 

GooD-BY, Devil 14 

Only to Spend a Day 14 

Lily May 14 

Sentiment and Humor 15 

To One Beloved 15 

My Love 16 

A Christian's Dream 16 

The Daily Ledger 19 

A Southern Patriot 21 

The Laborer 23 

Nature 24 

A Poor Sinner's Fate 24 

Before and After Marriage — With Excep- 
tions 25 

When Jones Was On the Hog 26 

Grafters of Booze 27 

When the ''Rounders" Homeward Go 27 

Gone TO Rest 28 

Chappies 28 

There Is Always a Sucker to Bite 29 

The Kissing Bug 30 



I* AGE 

His Last Drink 30 

She Sleeps Beneath the Willows at Oak 

Hill 31 

Feeling 32 

The Coal Miner 33 

The Jealous Moon 34 

Eyes Reflecting Love 35 

Though 36 

The Songs of Old 37 

The Council Fires Are Burning Low 38 

Dreams of Thee 39 

The Pessimist and Optimist 39 

Stick to It 40 

A Flower that Died in the Spring Time 41 

The Autumn Leaves Were Falling 41 

avondale 43 

Child Labor 43 

Have No Bitter Feeling 44 

Our Darling in Heaven 45 

Nature's Banquet Hall 45 

Vulcan 46 

The Young Mother 47 

Alabama Press Association 47 

The Weather's Effect 48 



a UGloman'^ Craving 

for the love of an innocent man, 
For one who knows not vice ; 

1 long to grasp his sincere hand — 
My life for him I'd sacrifice. 

Do I crave in vain, I wonder ? 

Yes, crave and nothing more ; 
My wish has gone asunder. 

And my heart is feeling sore. 

With a man's untrue devotion 
When first love 's passed away;- — 

Only a woman's emotion. 

And then comes sad dismay. 

With nature round me clinging . 

I scan the earth in vain ; 
For 'tis only a woman's craving 

That has been cut in twain. 

I can only crave, and that is all, 

It is a foolish notion — 
A man's desire, a woman's call 

That keeps the world in motion. 

Man portrays his love to her, 

Her love he is enslaving ; 
For she is all he does prefer, 

And lost is woman's craving. 



f( 



M tbe (Bol^en Hutumn time'' 



Down the winding country road 

Strolled a youth and sweetheart fair, 
To the maiden's quaint abode, 

Where he kissed and left her there. 
They parted in the moonlight, 

Soft he spoke these words divine : 
''Tell me, darling, say to-night 

When it shall be you'll be mine." 



CHORUS 

Silent there the maiden was, 

As she stood with down-cast eyes ; 
Softly shone the brilliant stars 

As they twinkled in the skies ; 
Sweetly sang the nightingale 

Trilling low its notes sublime. 
As she answered — frightened pale — 

"In the golden autumn time." 

Far down in the meadow lot. 

Where the dying flowers fell 
'Neath a grassy little plot. 

She is sleeping, fair Blondelle. 
When the moon beams full and bright 

And the distant church bells chime. 
Kneels he at her grave each night, 

'Tn the golden autumn time." 



10 



CHORUS 

When the trees are getting bare 

As the leaves fall one by one, 
Then he thinks of her so fair, 

She his loved and only one; 
She the little village belle 

Who had made his life a rhyme, 
When he said, "Be mine, Blondelle, 

In the golden autumn time." 

Xove flnepiret) in IDoutb 

That love inspired in youth and prime; 
That love instilled in youth will last for all time. 
Though feeble, old, thy body be, 
Though thy hair to gray be turned. 

My love will ever be for thee 
As in my heart in youth it burned. 

True in youth, true in old age. 
Forever united in love. 

Until our names are erased from life's page — 
And we ascend to him above ! 

a Wlisb 

I care not for death 

Nor its ravenous greed; 
I wish for good health 

And search for its seed. 

I wish to do right 

And abide nature's laws ; 
And it is my delight 

To help a good cause. 

II 



H Scbool Bo?'0 Xamentation on tbe 
2)a? of Examination 

I entered this school 

With thought so well, 

But day by day I gradually fell, 

Until the day of rigid test 

And then I did my very best — 

But all in vain ! 

My papers blank shall then remain 

Until I come with stronger will, 

My duties more fully to fulfil. 



^be Sun:^0et flDaib 

Bedecked in splendor, wreathed in flame. 
Each eve she comes a-courting ; 

The sun-set maid of world-wide fame — 
The beauties of heaven importing. 

Her varied dress of many hues 

Illumines the western sky. 
And posing thus she breaks the news 

Of coming darkness nigh. 

She throws a kiss to the universe, 
And waves a last good-night ; 

Then sings in soft and tender verse 
To the gently fading twilight. 



12 



Mbat flDaftes 1110 Jfrien&s ^o*t>a? 

What makes us friends — 

The best of friends to-day? 
'Tis a lot of filthy lucre — 

You may laugh and say what you may. 

A voice is never silent 

When the clink of gold is heard ; 
It reaches beyond the heavens, 

In loudness it is bold; 
It speaks of just that one word, 

Those millions of that gold. 

We meet, we meet, and speak of gold, 
We care not for your friendship 

Unless some coin you hold. 
What cares the world 

For love and truth 

When money- our fingers twirl? 

Good-by, my true and valiant one, 
Throw friendship to the wind ; 

We want the filthy lucre — 
Let millions be the sum. 

The best that is this world within 

And makes us friends today 
Is the almighty dollar 

That is caught upon the way. 



13 



Good-by, devil, to thy horns and fire ; 

Good-by, devil, thy evil deeds 
Will me no more inspire ! 

I enter the path of conversion, 
And stride to the home of God; 

I cast away all ill diversion — 
And walk where Christ has trod ! 



®nl? to Spenb a ®aij 

Only to spend a day, 

Only a day just with you ; 
Only a day — is that all ? 

Such thoughts make me feel quite blue. 
O how I have longed to be 

In the barque of love with thee, 
Sailing forever, drifting together 

Through the storms and the calms 
Of life's fathomless sea ! 



Xil? fIDa? 

Lily May, thy gentle spirit lulls the breeze 

That wafts the fragrance from the flowers ; 
Thy pure character quells the stormy seas 

Whose tumultuous waves would wreck the 

barque of love 
In which I pass my happy hours. 

Drifting quietly, sweetly, with the tide. 
Dreaming ever that you are by my side. 

14 



Thy simple beauty is the beacon light 
That guides me safely into harbor; 

Thy sweet ways fill my soul with ardor 

As your love gleams bright through the darkest 
night. 

If on the waters a storm was raging, 

And love's barque was dashed to and fro ; 

If throughout the land grim war was waging, 
Still your heart would be true, I know. 



Sentiment anb Mnmor 

Little beams of sunshine 

Light me on my way, 
As I toil and struggle 
Through every cloudy day ; 
Little beams of starlight 

Twinkling evermore, 
And a chorus of mosquitoes . 

Join me while I snore. 



^0 ®ne Belovet) 

You whose rose-tint cheeks 
Would cause the rose to blush ; 

You whose soft, fair face 

Would cause the world to hush. 

You whose noble brow 

Would grace the grandest beauty ; 
You whose endearing heart 

Makes love its greatest duty. 



15 



fIDl? Xove 

My love is not a simple whim 

Provoked by fascinations, 
But a love bestov^ed by him 

Who rules this world of nations; 
A love whose flaming fire 

Will burn and burn forever ; 
A love that will ne'er expire, 

Though false impressions sever. 

My love is not a fancy 

That comes and goes at will, 
But a love that's growing ever — 

A love that pains and thrills ; 
A love that all the oceans 

Could not drown or quench its fire, 
A love of those grand passions 

None but God can inspire. 

H Cbri9tian'6 Dream 

I lay me sick upon my bed. 
My wife's soft hand rests on my head; 
She reads to me the book so dear. 
That sinners love, and devils fear, 
Whose precious words I fain would hear. 
And, hearing, feel my heart expand 
And wish me in God's promised land. 

Again wife soothes my aching head, 
I sleep and dream that I am dead ; 
And is this death to sigh and die ? 
Good-night to earth — good-by, good-by. 
I soar, I shout, bright angels sing — 
A host are me accompanying ! 

i6 



On — on to heaven's blessed forum, 
On — on to reach "Sanctum Sanctorum;" 
Like meteor flashing- through the sky — 
Midst rusthng wings I fly — I fly. 
Ten thousand worlds around me roll 
Spiritually beautiful to behold. 

They fill the void with harmony 
Sounding so deliciously ! 
Is this the moon that peals so near? 
Aye, each and every heavenly sphere — 
Heard only by immortal ear — 
Swells the vault of heaven with praise, 
''Glory to God through endless days." 

I fain would linger — the spirit says, No — 
On — on to heaven the soul must go. 
And then, blessed Lord ! say what delight 
Never again to know of night — 
Thy soul shall live in love and light. 

Thanks, God ! I've reached the happy land, 
Now in Jesus' court I stand, 
An angel choir on either hand. 

My soul is filled with ecstasy, 
Such sanctity! Oh, such majesty! 
Words fail to tell, the blissful spell. — 
Is this the place whence angels fell ? 
Banished hence were well called hell. 

High on a throne of light divine. 
Light of lights — around Him shine; 
His eyes of fire — all else of white, 
As snows upon the earth at night 
When Lunar sheds her beams askance 
And serves its whiteness to enhance. 

17 



Behold the pavement — radiant gold ! 
Not such as found in earthly mould, 
But crystal-like, so clear and pure 
Could mortal's eyes this sight emdure? 
No ! radiance such as this would blind 
All — all save those by God divined : 
A fountain flows from 'neath His seat 
And courses through each golden street. 

'Tis the water of life I drink — ^oh, why? 

Cherubims sing and seraphs cry : 

"Sinners, drink, why will ye die; 

God, your Maker, asks you — why?" 

Now I hear *'a still small voice" 

Call all heaven to rejoice — 

No more shall sin in triumph reign, 

No more in sorrow or in pain 

Shall he who drinks these waters fear, 

But are as angels held most dear. 

"Glory — honor — praise and power — ■ 

Be unto the Lamb forever !" 

Christ the fount — speed, angels, go, 

And every mortal teach ye so : 

No fires consume — as waters purify, 

Religion thus poor sinners try — 

Nor Satan's charms, persuasive though they be, 

May hurt the soul repentant turned to me — 

And drinks the pledge of bloody Calvary. 

Thus spake the All Mighty — blessed "three in 

one ;" 
All-hearing heaven replies, "Thy will be done." 
Obedient angels earthward take to wing 
And on their journey rapturous anthems sing: 



i8 



"Praise God from whom all blessings flow, 
Praise Him, ye stars and earth below, 
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. 
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!" 

Close, close my eyes, yet one more gleam, — 
I wake ! 'Tis a poor Christian's dream. 



^be Baili? Xebger 

In homage came the Ledger bold 

With men of brains, not gold. 
To manage and to keep it, 

Till each lay in the mould. 
They were six men from bondage broke. 

Oppression couldn't hold them; 
They up, and then the worldly folk 

Did witness full their vim. 

Thus daily did this then small sheet 

To fame and glory rise. 
It went abroad and always neat 

Did soon increase in size. 

Then quickly came a grand surprise 

That opened wide all eyes : 
The first to print Cahaba's wreck, 

A horrible disaster and demise. 

With all success a parting came. 
And one by one dropped off, 
Till now but two that started in 
Do hold a right to claim. 



19 



But others came with added fuel, 

To take their place with zeal, 
And started off — again they went. 

The broken link to heal. 

To-day it is right in demand, 
A first-class daily grown, 
And widely read and widely known. 

It boldly takes its stand. 

One death has happened in the midst 

Of those who hold it now. 
He was a man and loved by all. 
His name was Norman Hall. 
I give them out as such they are, 
While nothing does their business mar ; 
And hail them as a shining star 
That shines above so bright and far. 

There's firm old Jeff upon the shelf — 

His orders he is giving; 
So tall and grand, at his command 

They all do earn their living. 

And here's to Smith ! to point and pith 

His work is ne'er untiring; 
So ripe and sound, he's always found 

To greater things aspiring. 

And then Cruikshank, whose mind is frank. 

His writings have few equals ; 
So firm and bold he gives the straight 

In all his many sequels. 



20 



Then Sparrow, like a wizard, goes 
The news to get with speed ; 

So swift and sure, with mind that's pure, 
He always takes the lead. 

And PuUiam, too, the foreman true, 

Does manage things aright; 
So steady, with a will to do. 

He works with heart's delight. 

Then come the ones — the minor ones — 

That do their tasks each day ; 
So filled with will and best of skill. 

They work without delay. 



H Soutbern patriot 

It was a Southern home, 

A home where gallantry, chivalry 

And patriotism will ever live. 

A happy family graced its quaint 

Apartments, a family in whose noble 

Hearts no malice dwelt, no envy 

Lived, no hatred existed toward 

The fathers who fought under Old Glory 

To preserve the Union, or toward 

Their sons who live to honor their 

Gallant dead. A young man stands 

Looking half-sadly, half-joyfully 

At a tattered and bullet-pierced 

Suit of gray that has hung for many 

Years upon the wall of that grand 

Old dwelling, then he averts 



21 



His attention toward a mirror 

Where the reflection of himself 

He discerns clad in a suit of blue. 

The Spanish-American war 

Has just begun, the call for 

Volunteers is answered instantly 

North and South. 

He wipes a tear from his eye, 

Bids the old folks good-by, 

And with words of Robert E. Lee — 

*'Duty is the sublimest word 

In the language" — on his lips, 

Marches proudly away to the 

Field of battle to help win 

The victory or die. 

The war is at an end ; 

Spain is left a conquered 

And cowering nation ; 

The young soldier returns 

To his Southern home ; 

A blushing lassie kisses 

The battle-stained face 

And weeps for joy — 

.She is his betrothed who 

Welcomes him home thus again. 

The storm-cloud of war has passed 

Away to hover over foreign lands, 

And peace prevails in free and 

Forever-united North and South. 

In a cozy little cottage where 

The prattles of youthful voices are heard, 

Where the surrounding woodland 

Is a paradise of sweet-singing birds, 

22 



And where the fragrant odor of jasmine 

And honeysuckle float in at the window, 

A loving and happy family often sit 

When the day's labor is done, 

And rest their eyes with reverence 

And respect on two tattered uniforms 

That hang side by side upon the wall, 

Then rings forth in pathetic tones 

That sweet old melody, the "Blue and the Gray. 



Zbc Xaborer 

Who earns the money he deserves? 
Who a family rears and preserves 
By strength of heart and best of valor ? — 
'Tis the man we all should hail, 
The honest, working laborer ! 

He asks for naught but wages good. 
He seeks not to defraud you, 
He cares for naught but food and wood. 
Coal and clothes for his family true. 
He likes to have some coin, too. 
To put aside for rainy days ; 
And wants a house, a horse 
And trap, just the same as you. 

Now listen to his voice and heed. 
He has no heart, no soul of greed, — 
Give him the wages he deserves ; 
Look at the family he preserves ; 
Hail to the man that works each day ! 
Hail to the laborer, don't say nay ! 



23 



IRature 

I sometimes sit by the window 

And look upon nature's fair scenes; 

Then wonder and wonder and wonder 
How the world can be as hard as it seems. 

Alas ! everything has its sorrows, 

Even the flowers, the birds and the bees ; 

And we all reach out for the morrows 
That pass unseen like the breeze. 

But nature outspreads before us 
To give the rich nectar we love; 

And God is waiting to guide us 
To the beautiful heavens above. 



^ a poor Sinner'9 ifate 

Ah ! weary sinner with blemished soul. 

Thy body lies in the earthly mould ; 

Though covered with green, pure grass, 

Thy soul knows no peace. Alas ! 

Would it not have been better 

That thou wert blessed, 

And liked in eyes of God? 

Would it not have been better 

If thou wert laid to rest 

With a pure soul 'neath the sod ? 

Too late, too late, thy day is done ; 

Forever the gauntlet of hell thou must run! 

Ah ! sinner, too late, too late — 

A burning soul in hell is thy fate. 



24 



Before an& Hfter flDarriage— Wlitb 
lexceptlona 

BEFORE 

'Tis all of love, before, 

Of hugs and kisses and the like; 

Each does the other most adore 
As they wander down love's pike. 

He thinks she is the sweetest girl 

That e'er on earth did live ; 
And for any wrong she does, 

Is ready to forgive. 

She thinks there never was a man 

His equal in this world ; 
Would not give him for a king. 

Or a duke or earl. 

After 

Love and kisses, best of wishes. 
Each vow their love is true — 

Pretty soon she's washing dishes, 
And his kisses are but few. 

The hair doth fly. 
The kid doth squall ; 
Poor man doth sigh — 
His head is bald. 



25 



mbcn 3once Mae ®n tbe Ibog 

Jones left us in a full-dress suit, 

And a grip-sack packed in style ; 
Jones softly smiled at the whistle's toot, 

While speeding many a mile. 
Jones went to selling picture frames, 

But the Georgians wouldn't buy; 
Jones thought of many dear old names, 

And then he heaved a sigh — 
When Jones was on the hog. 

Jones got quite bum, and thought of home, 

But he could only sadly roam, 
And walk the streets quite bold ; 

And while his name was being sown 
He met the mayor, who was drunk. 

And playing hell of old. 
He knocked the coppei:s right and left 

And Jones got on the mould ; 
He put the weather in a fog — 
When Jones was on the hog. 

Jones' shirt was getting very soft. 

His whiskers growing strong ; 
Jones then took up his sweet abode 

Within an old jay's loft. 
He owed the hotel man a sum, 

When he was on that latest bum, 
And left his clothes to pay the debt. 

Then hopped the freight for home — 
When Jones was on the hog. 

26 



Then Jones was fired from that freight, 

And walked the ties till it was late. 
He walked and walked and walked, 

And balked and balked and balked. 
The katydids sung through the fog, 

His heart was failing fast ; 
The dismal croaking of the frog 

Brought Jones to tears at last — 
When Jones was on the hog. 



(5rafter0 of Boose 

Grafters and ''rounders" the bottle do chase, 
Fighting the booze that breaks their face ; 
Hitting the ceiling, perceiving the stars — 
At last they're peering through calaboose bars. 



Mben tbe "IRoun&crs" Momewarb 

60 

At the setting of the sun 

On the corners they're thick. 

And they're gathering one by one 
To join the merry clique. 

And soon they're started off 
On their razzle-dazzle round. 

Imbibing in the good old booze 
That does their minds confound. 



27 



Around, about, from place to place, 
They make the beverage flow 

That causes them to bruise their face 
As they staggering homeward go. 

At the rising of the sun 

They're disbanding one by one ; 
And they're feeling for their "dough" 

When the ''rounders" homeward go. 



(Bone to 1Re6t 

She budded not into womanhood. 
She passed away in sweet childhood ; 
She's gone where the angels dwell — 
Gone to their flowery dell. 



Cbappiea 

Slowly and surely into the night 
Fops and freaks are lost to sight. 
Seeking a maiden with many a sigh — 
Alas ! for the chappie with collar too high. 

As the new days come and go, 
Many strange folks daily grow ; 
By the dozen, thick as hops — 
Giddy girls and silly fops. 

28 



Zbcvc ll6 Hlwai20 a Sucfter to JSite 

Through life's ceaseless tide, 
As it runs strong and wide, 
There is always a sucker in sight; 

Sometimes, with a string. 

Some girl holds the thing 
That tempts the old sucker to bite. 

A friend with a bag 

Meets a jay on a jag; 

He holds this soft snap with delight. 

And shows a gold brick, 

All shining and slick, 
So the sucker is ready to bite. 

The philosophers say 

There is born every day — 

And sometimes they blow in at night — 
A sucker a minute, 
Who thinks he's right in it, . 

But thc}^ soon find it's risky to bite. 

The street-corner fake 

Your money will take 

For goods that you think are all right, 

But they are a sham. 

And you are a clam. 
Still you want other suckers to bite. 

As people grow older 

They sometimes grow bolder, 

And think they have won in life's fight. 

Alas for such folly ! 

Some girl cute and jolly 
Can work an old buck out of sight. 

29 



And as death comes nigh 
And closes each eye, 
Everything looks as the night, 

While Satan stands near 

With a horrible leer — 
For he finds many suckers who bite. 

Z\)c MmrxQ Bus 

Oh ! kissing bug. 

Oh ! wondrous bug, 

Pray tell from whence thou came. 

So fond of kissin2^ 

How sweet to you; 

But to thy victim, 

Alas! 'tis bitter. 

You sip the sweetness from his lip, 

And leave thy horrid sting : 

So come not near, 

Thy kiss, I fear. 
Will leave us all lamenting. 

5Hi0 Xaet Brink 

"Well, boys, this will be my last ; 

Yes, boys, my very last drink ; 
I now will forever bury the past 

And turn from this ruinous brink." 

The words came from a lad 

Who yet was in his teens ; 
He now had turned from the bad 

And was bidding farewell to its scenes. 



30 



The devil was cheated of a victim fair 

Whom he sought to capture by his nectar drink ; 

One more soul had escaped from his lair 

With God and the Saviour to righteously link. 

"Once more I'll drink the cup to the dregs ; 

Once more I'll be merry and gay ; 
Then if I reach home on these uncertain legs 

I'll quit my bad habits and tread the right way." 

But he never reached home on that last sad spree — 
He fell as homeward he wended his way ; 

For God had called him to heaven in glee, 
And cheated old Satan of his cherished prey. 

The devil was cheated of a victim fair 

Whom he sought to capture by his nectar drink ; 

One more soul had escaped from his lair 

With God and the Saviour to righteously link. 



Sbe Sleep0 Beneatb tbe IKHiUow^ 
at ©aft Hill 

Now a loved one sleeps in peace 
In the city where life does cease, 
Where the birds sing sweet with ease, 
Twittering in the weeping willow trees ; 
And the life she lived so true 

Mingles with their low, sweet trill — 
Flowers die, but bloom anew, 

Sigh the willows at Oak Hill. 



31 



She was true to God in her vows, 
Now she mingles with the flow'rs ; 
There she sleeps in peace so still, 
'Neath the willows at Oak Hill. 

'Neath a mound of snowy white 
Lies a dear one that we love, 
And her soul has ceased its flight 
In heaven so bright above. 
Naught but good of her was known. 

And she listened tO' God's will, 
To the angel's trumpet blown 

'Neath the willows at Oak Hill. 

She was true to God in her vows, 
Now she mingles with the flow'rs; 
There she sleeps in peace, so still, 
'Neath the willows at Oak Hill. 



ffeeling 

Humanity is sternly inhuman. 
When bereft of heartfelt feeling. 

That offers no kindness to beast or man. 
Who, in distress, is appealing. 

God's work would not be complete 
Had He not instilled human feeling ; 

Bless Him for the gift so sweet, 

In humble gratitude to Him kneeling. 

Without that emotional feeling 
That makes the heart to throb. 

Without that something o'er you stealing 
That brings from the soul a sob — 



32 



The tears within the eyes revealing 
The tender mercy that dwells within, 

The sincere pangs of inward feeling 
That links in love the souls of men, — 

We would be but just dumb clay. 
Living here in mute appeal ; 

With no heart, no soul to pray. 
No conscience with which to feel. 



Zbc Coal fiDincr 

How little of pleasure, 
And still less of treasure, 
Is he of muscle and brawn 
Who works in the coal pits, 
Who toils in the darkness. 
With never a brighter dawn. 

Weary, dusty, face full of gladness. 
Of evenings home does he come. 
A fond wife and children 
With joy do greet him; 
To him they are given 
To make his life sweet — 
Toiling, toiling, ever toiling, 
Working for those whom he loves. 

But what does it gain him 
When capitalists assail him, 
Oppress and then nail him 
To the cross of poverty grim? 



33 



In the morn he departs, 
Kisses each of his loved ones, 

To the battle of work then starts ; 
That night no one greets him, 
A corpse home they bring him — 
God have pity on those broken hearts ! 

A strata of slate crushed out his life, 
And ended his torture, his pain and strife ; 
But who will protect them — 
His children and wife? 
Toiling, toiling, ever toiling, 
Working for those whom he loves. 

But what does it gain him 
When capitalists assail him, 
Oppress and then nail him 
To the cross of poverty grim? 



^be 3ealou0 fiDoon 

Dearest, fondest wish of mine, 
How I love you, sweetest dear ! 

If you should my love decline 
It would cause me — yes, a tear. 

When the morn with sunshine comes 

All is fresh and bright to me ; 
When the sparkling brooklet runs 

Down the mountain side with glee 

I am as happy as can be. 
And the night doth come with shade. 
Darkening 'round us hill and glade. 



34 



Nestled closer — thus we are, 

Gazing at the evening star, 

Through the long, sweet, listless night, 

Sipping kisses from thy lip — 
And the moon o'erhead so bright 

Smiling down at us so flip. 
Seeming jealous as the clouds 
Softly float before her face; 
Then's the time we gently do 
Have a fond embrace. 



jEl^ea IRefiecting %ovc 

Your bright eyes, my darling. 

Reflect but love, indeed. 
And love, when truly responding. 

Causes no heart to bleed ; 
When the radiance of your eyes 

Reflect, sv/eetheart, in my own 
I know that I love you, darling — 

Love thee, and thee alone. 

The moon in all her glory 

Sheds a brightness all around. 
But the sweetness of one's love-story 

I think is most profound ; 
The light of your eyes, dear, 

Return love sincere to me. 
Though clouded by a tear — 

And darling, I love only thee. 



35 



Though no letter brings me tidings 
Of my angel love so fair, 

I'm content with God's own blessings 
And your love so sweet and rare. 

Though no words of tender feeling 
You e'er pen to me, sweetheart, 

There's a feeling o'er me stealing 
That you love me in your heart. 

Though the world goes wrong 

And the sun shines not, 
Your love will be my song. 

And I'll forget you not. 

Thus on and on forever 

I will love you fondly, dear, 

Though I stand in tears and sorrow 
Beside you at your bier. 

Though God takes you from me, 
I will meet you, dear, again 

In the land of our dear Father, 
Where all are free from pain. 

And there we'll share a love — 
A love that is most sacred. 

In the glorious land above. 
Where all is love ; no hatred. 

There the angel band will play us 

Music soft and low, 
And we'll forget the sorrows 

That pained us down below. 



Z6 



Bless God and the sweet heavens 
Where the righteous gather all, 

And alike are heard the pleadings 
Of the great and of the small. 



^be SonQ6 of ®lb 

The old folks were singing, 

Singing soft and low, 
Singing all the old songs — 

The songs of long ago. 
And they brought back memories, 
Dear memories of the past. 
As I stood upon the threshold 
And heard those songs of old. 

As the windlass of time 
Draws the curtain of night 

To unwind the curtain of day, 
So the old songs make life 
Ever golden and bright 

And as sweet as the flowers in May. 

Oh ! listen you to those melodies sweet, 
As through life you journey you may them 

repeat ; 
And cherish dear memories 
That come back to you, 

As nobly you strive this world to go through. 
And join in the chorus 
That makes your heart glad — 
Keep on rejoicing and never be sad. 



Z7 



As the windlass of time 
Draws the curtain of night 

To unwind the curtain of day, 
So the old songs make life 
Ever golden and bright 

And as sweet as the flowers in May. 



c;be Councd fivcB are Burning Xow 

The council fires are burning low, 

The pipe of peace is drawn; 
Each Red Man, silent, smokes in woe, 

A noble brave has gone. 

In silence, round the still, cold form, 

Which lies in its earthly grave. 
Are gathered those who sadly mourn 

In sorrow for this gallant brave. 

His trophies won for kind deeds done 

Were those of highest honor. 
He loved, was loved, by every one. 

By each and every brother. 

His tomahawk remained in its sheath 
When nearby lurked a crouching foe ; 

He crowned each friend with a laurel wreath. 
He dealt no one a hurtful blow. 

Yes, he is gone, gone forever, 

To the happy hunting grounds 
Beyond that beautiful river. 

Where the angel's trumpet sounds. 

38 



Dreams of XTbee 

How sweet are dreams, 
Dear, fond dreams of thee; 

How sweet are dreams 
Of you, sweetheart, to me. 

How sweet are dreams. 
Dreams so real and bright ; 

How sweet are dreams 

Of you, sweetheart, to-night. 

How sweet are dreams, 

Dreams of a heavenly vision ; 

How sweet are dreams. 

Dreams of an hallucination. 

How sweet are dreams, 

Dreams, oh! most sublime; 

How sweet are dreams 
Of thee through all time. 

^be ipe00imi6t anb ©ptimiet 

The pessimist came into 
This world in innocence ; 

He grew and gazed about. 
And ail for him was repentance 

And a wild desire to doubt. 

The optimist came and looked around 

And all for him was bright ; 
His love for God was most profound, 
And all for him was happiness, 
Made so by justice and right. 



39 



Sticft to Ht 

When you're sometimes feeling blue. 
And your "biz" goes wrong a bit. 

Don't bid your work adieu, 
But keep on sticking to it. 

If, like the butterfly, 

In a chrysalis state you get, 
Just come to life again and try. 

And keep on sticking to it. 

When sometimes you are pestered, 

When about to have a fit, 
Just stop and think a thought or two, 

And keep on sticking to it. 

When you make a new resolve 
That all bad habits you will quit, 

And through the New Year you'll do good, 
Just keep on sticking to it. 

When fortune comes your way 

And you're prospering, don't forget 

To help the poor and needy ones. 
And keep on sticking to it. 

If the devil comes around 

To tempt you, show your grit. 

Show him you'll not yield to sin. 
And keep on sticking to it. 

While on the stage of life 
You are acting well your part, 
Just play your role to make a hit, 
And keep on sticking to it. 



40 



There are many things in Hfe 
We could cherish up a bit, 

If we'd knock out wrong and strife, 
And keep on sticking to it. 



H iflower tbat 2)ic5 in tbe Spring 

A flower that died in the spring time, 
A flower not killed by frost ; 

A flower just chosen by angels, 
A flower that is not lost. 

A flower that no winter blast 
Withered and crushed to earth ; 

A flower that died in the spring time 
When all was joy and mirth. 



^be Hutumn Xeavee Mere fallins 

'Twas in a country villa 

When the flowers were in bloom, 
A maiden and her lover 

Met one golden afternoon ; 
And ere the summer blossoms 

Had fallen to the ground, 
He told her he would wed her 

When the autumn leaves fall down. 



41 



The autumn leaves were falling, 

And the days had shorter grown. 
Some bird its mate was calling 

As it twittered all alone ; 
And the lover's heart is calling 

For the one whom he loved best, 
And the autumn leaves are falling 

O'er the grave of her, at rest. 

Now oft he sits and ponders, 

Reflecting over the past. 
And oft he slowly wanders 

To the villa where they met last; 
But the promise he had given 

Was given all in vain, 
For she was an angel in heaven 

When autumn came again. 

The autumn leaves were falling, 

And the days had shorter grown, 
Some bird its mate was calling 

As it twittered all alone ; 
And the lover's heart is breaking 

For the one whom he loved best, 
And the autumn leaves are falling 

O'er the grave of her at rest. 



42 



Hvon6ale 

A limpid stream of pureness 

Flows onward down Spring street, 
And ripples on in smoothness, 

Making a music sweet. 
The spring from which it bubbles 

Is ever flowing there, 
And is as pure and healthful 

As its lovely women fair. 
Oh ! town of virtue, minus vice, 

Oh ! town of beauty and reform, 
E'er let thy purity suffice 

To avoid winds of destructive storm. 



Cbilb Xabor 

Tiny little children, toiling all the day, 
Hunger and starvation is all they get for pay ! 
Hear the angels weeping; hear their pitying 

tones ; 
Hear the death knells ringing in those children's 

groans ! 
See the employer basking in his hall of fame. 
Hear the humble pleadings of the poor and lame ! 
See the heartless wretches feasting every day. 
Hear poverty's children crying for bread and 

play. 



43 



Ibave mo Bitter jfeeling 

As we journey down life's lane, 
Flower strewn and lovely, 

Have no bitter feeling. 
As we bear each ache and pain 
Caused by others mean and lowly, 

Have no bitter feeling. 

Stride on bravely, nobly, ever, 
With conscience clear and saintly. 

Your heart's true love revealing; 
Let it live, yes, live forever, 
For those loving you but faintly, 

And have no bitter feeling. 

Let your heart o'erflow with goodness 
Kindness, love and joy, too. 

And when evil' s o'er you stealing, 
Cast it out and so be true 
To the one who gives you gladness. 

And have no bitter feeling. 

What does bitterness ever bring us 
As we pass time's narrow space? 
Naught but anguish and disgrace ! 
What does sweetness ever bring us 
As we run our worldly race? 
Brings us happiness, takes us to a better 
place. 



44 



®ur Darling in Ibeaven 

Now our darling has left us 

And riown to a land that is fair, 

Where a gathering band of angels 

Have taken her into their care ; 

And among that band of sweet angels 

Mingles her mother so fond, 

Who long awaited her darling 

In the far and beautiful beyond. 

Oh ! weep not, dear loved ones, 

For the little darling at rest — 

She's the pride of God and the angels, 

And sleeps on her mother's breast. 



inature*0 Banquet Iball 

When the mist is falling lightly 

And the morning glories bloom. 
And the sun comes up brightly 

To drive away the gloom — 
Then I rise and scent the flowers, 

Whose perfume comes in the breeze; 
And I long to spend the hours 

By the spring beneath the trees. 

By the spring beneath the trees. 

Where the morning shadows fall — 

To live a life of bliss and ease 
In nature's banquet hall. 



45 



When the day is slowly waning 

And the herds are coming home, 
And the sun is swiftly sinking 

To hasten on the gloam — 
Then I lay me down with ease 

Where there's comfort all about, 
By the spring beneath the trees 

When the stars and moon come out. 

By the spring beneath the trees 
When the evening shadows fall — 

To live a life of bliss and ease 
In nature's banquet hall. 



Dulcan 

Vulcan, with thy massive frame, 

And sinews firm and strong, 
Thou'lt bring Birmingham eternal fame 

And through time its history prolong. 

Whilst yet 'neath depths whence thou came 

In crude form undeveloped. 
No one did know or guess thy aim 

To display the iron wealth Mother Earth 
enveloped. 

Great monument of the Iron Age, 

We hail and sing thee praise ! 
And place thy name on history's page 

To live through endless days ! 



46 



^be l^oung fiDotber 

The young mother whose blushing cheeks 

Tell of her pride and joy — 
A fondling babe, a wee babe, 

A sweet young baby-boy. 
Near by stands a lad and lassie. 
Looking gleefully on, 
While the young mother fondles 
Close to her breast 

The healthful baby-boy, 
And her glowing cheeks 

Tell of her pride and joy. 



aiabama iprees Heeociation 

(an acrostic) 

Alabama Press, 
Lofty and eloquently rising 
Above the goal heaven blest ; 
Brightest hope thy fame divining. 
Attaining genius, brains and might, 
Maintained by those composing it — 
All of them intelligent and bright. 

Perceiving God o'er them ruling. 
Resigning their fate to Him above, 
Encouraging naught but good. 
Singing praises of their State's love — 
State of peace and rest we love. 



47 



Alabama Press, behold! 
See thy name foremost written, 
See it topmost on honor's roll ! 
Onward ever, keep it there. 
Collect the laurels by Him given 
In gratitude of thy righteous love! 
Ascend the mountains of Jehovah, 
Thank Him who made you. 
Increase thy love, never fail ! 
Onward, upward ! Ascend above ! 
None can check thee, all must hail ! 



trbe Mcatber's jeffcct 

The weather has been 
All the week rather damp, 

And embarrasses the girls 

As the wet streets they tramp. 

It makes the men glad. 

Causes strain of their eyes — 

Yet it makes the girls sad. 
To the gazers' surprise. 

They attend the theatre 

In all kinds of weather, 

And lift their skirts at the crossings — 

But this only makes the gazers stare, 

And is one of their rejoicings. 



48 



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